Sanctuary Care homes across the country baked cakes to perfection and made beautiful crowns at their regal inspired celebrations for Care Home Open Day.

Friday 17 June was Care Home Open Day, where care homes across the UK invited the public along to events to create lasting links between their residents and the local communities.

Residents and the teams at Sanctuary Care homes hosted an array of red, white and blue festivities to mark The Queen’s 90th birthday, pulling out all the stops to ensure that the day was a celebration to remember.

Worcestershire celebrations

The team and residents at Heathlands Residential Care Home in Pershore, Worcestershire hosted a royal ball, with live music from singer Mike Skillbeck, a VIP visit from Mayor of Pershore Bob Gilmore, a delicious buffet and themed decorations, crown and tiaras – with one resident in particular, Janet Martin, taking centre stage as The Queen for the day.

Janet said: “I feel so proud to have dressed up and represent The Queen for our celebrations – the children were so excited to meet me, it was great.”

Talented Mexican dance instructor Edwin Rodriguez in Worcester treated residents of Juniper House Residential Care Home to a special salsa dance class. The team also wore sombreros and themed ponchos and there was also live musical entertainment and mouth-watering cakes.

Garden party in Canterbury

At Meadow View Residential Care Home in Hersden, Canterbury, residents continued the celebrations in the home’s stunning gardens, where the team were suitably dressed as their favourite royals for the very special occasion – from the birthday girl herself to Princess Anne.

Activities leader at the home Christina York added: “Care Home Open Day is all about linking our residents with the local community so it was fantastic to be able to support this with our royal celebration – the day was full of laughter and smiles and the residents really enjoyed rubbing shoulders with Hersden’s answer to the Royal Family.”

Cruise trip in Somerset

The Rosary Nursing Home in Bridgwater, Somerset invited the community along to their royal ‘cruise ship’ to board the ‘HMS Britannia’ with youngsters from Butterflies Nursery.

There were games to enjoy – including quoits, bowls and golf on a putting green – and high-tea refreshments out on ‘deck’, while the team and residents dressed head to toe in themed attire.

Meanwhile at Don Thomson House Residential Care Home in Harwich, Essex visitors and residents felt the flour power during a community bake off, where special guest, the Mayor Councillor Pam Morrison, chose which tasty delight was the best birthday cake fit for Her Majesty.

Young children also transformed into a princess or prince charming for the day by crafting beautiful crowns and tiaras.

Ms Morrison said: “It was a very memorable and enjoyable day and the cakes were fabulous. A really warm and friendly atmosphere.”